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WHAT EXACTLY IS CORD BLOOD?

Cord blood comes from a newborn’s umbilical cord and is collected immediately after birth. Once the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, the remaining blood in the umbilical cord and placenta is drawn into a collection bag. Cord blood contains blood-forming stem cells. Stem cells are the ‘master cells’, or building blocks, of the human body.

They are unspecialized cells with the capacity to differentiate, multiply and specialize into various cell types that constitute the human body. A stem cell is pluripotent : When it divides, it can make any one of the 220 different cells in the human body. Stem cells also have the capability to self-renew — they can reproduce themselves many times over. Stem cells can be collected from many sources like umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord tissue, bone marrow, adipose tissues, peripheral blood, dental pulp and so on. Stem cells collected from umbilical cord blood are more powerful than those collected from other sources. Indeed, cord blood is considered one of the richest sources of stem cells. Cord blood stem cells are biologically younger and are more flexible compared to adult stem cells from other sources like bone marrow.

They have been used to regenerate healthy blood and immune systems in over 30,000 transplants worldwide. They also have proven track records on treatment of diseases like Thalassemia, Leukemia, Anaemia, Cerebral palsy, Diabetes, Blood disorders, Bone marrow syndromes, Cancers, Hemoglobinopathies, Immunodeficiencies and Metabolic disorders. Over 300 diseases and conditions are in various stages of research, and progressing towards positive results. The next medical technology may well use these cells to rebuild cardiac tissue, repair damage occurring from stroke or spinal cord injuries, and even reverse the effects of such diseases as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s. This makes cord blood a powerful tool for doctors and medical professionals when it comes to saving lives and researching breakthroughs in cure.

ALL ABOUT CORD BLOOD BANKING

HOW IT WORKS
BENEFITS
STEPS IN CORD BLOOD BANKING
COST

 

  • As part of normal practice, the umbilical cord and placenta are discarded after birth. However, if the parents has opted for cord blood banking, the blood from the umbilical cord will be carefully collected by specialists after the baby is born.
  • Before the blood is collected, the family medical history is asked for and checked by the medical Director.
  • Consent for processing the cord blood & testing of maternal blood must be provided before labor starts.
  • The cord blood is drawn out of the umbilical veins into a collection bag which is specifically designed for cord blood collection.
  • After the collection of mothers blood, cord blood & a portion of umbilical cord tissue (If applicable), the mandatory documentation is noted in the kit booklet, which is primarily related to the delivery process & health of the baby.
  • Thereafter, the specimens are packed in a specially designed Kit box and sent to a cord blood bank for processing and storage in clinically approved conditions over the long term.
  • The Cord blood collection process takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
  • Cord blood banks can be of two types, Public and Private. Public banks collect cord blood from donation & process & store cord blood for sale to prospective buyers and for research or. Private banks are exclusively stored for families who have opted for the same and only for personal use. New & innovation Model of Social Banking is now available.
  • One can choose Private Banking as well as Social Banking against a reasonable fees & get a peace of mind for 21-75 years.

 

7 BIG REASONS FOR CHOOSE UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD BANKING FOR YOUR BABY.

 

  • Increases access to latest technologies and safeguard against several diseases in the future.
  • Complete protection for the entire immediate family.
  • Collection is safe, painless and available for immediate use.
  • Higher probability of finding a match for immediate family members.
  • Minimizes disease progression in case of early intervention.
  • Possibility of finding a suitable HLA matched stem cell for the family is very high.
  • Preserving cord blood stem cells ‘stops the clock’ : It protects the cells from aging and being exposed to environmental factors and common viruses that can decrease their function. Protections from approved diseases & clinical trials for 75 years for the entire family.

 

ENROLMENT & COLLECTION PROCESS

 

  1. ENROLMENT - Parents to register before the delivery date.
  2. COLLECTION - Umbilical cord blood and cord tissue is collected at birth.
  3. TRANSPORTATION - Sample is transported to our hi-tech lab via dedicated biological logistics service with utmost safety.
  4. TESTING & PROCESSING - Samples received are tested and processed with the help of fully automated technology.
  5. PRESERVATION - Extracted stem cells are preserved in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen at around -196°C.

 

COSTING

Pricing at Cryoviva is predicated on real expenses incurred, and the final cost sheet shared is basis ‘Actuals’.

HOW MUCH DOES CORD BLOOD BANKING COST?

We have multiple packages and the cost depends upon the package chosen. For further info, please get in touch with the Cryoviva team.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is umbilical cord blood?

Umbilical cord blood is the blood that remains in the placenta and the umbilical cord after a baby is born. This blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which can be used to treat various diseases.

What are stem cells, and why are they important?

Stem cells are the building blocks of the body's blood and immune system. Hematopoietic stem cells found in cord blood can develop into different types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. They are used in the treatment of diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, and certain genetic disorders.

What is cord blood banking?

Cord blood banking involves collecting and storing umbilical cord blood for potential future medical use. There are two types of cord blood banks:

  • Private banks: Store cord blood for personal or family use, often charging a fee for collection, processing, and storage.
  • Public banks: Accept donations of cord blood for use by the general public or for medical research, usually at no cost to the donor.

How is cord blood collected?

Cord blood is collected after the baby is born and the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. The process is painless and safe for both mother and baby. A healthcare professional draws the remaining blood from the cord into a sterile bag for storage.

Is cord blood banking safe for the mother and baby?

Yes, the process of collecting cord blood is completely safe. It is done after the baby is delivered and the umbilical cord is cut, so it does not interfere with the delivery process. There is no risk to either the mother or the baby.

What diseases can be treated with cord blood stem cells?

Cord blood stem cells have been used in the treatment of over 80 diseases, including:

  • Leukemia
  • Lymphoma
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Certain genetic and metabolic disorders
  • Immune system disorders

Can my baby's cord blood be used by family members?

Yes. Cord blood can be a match for siblings or close family members. However, a perfect match is not guaranteed. Public cord blood banks help increase the chances of finding a match for unrelated patients.

How long do you have to decide to bank your baby’s cord blood?

You’ll need to decide before delivery, ideally by the second or third trimester, so you can make arrangements with your provider or chosen bank.